Panic Attacks at 5 years old?

My daughter in the last few months has started having these episodes... she's only 5 years old. One day we were outside and it was slightly breezy enough for the swings to sway in the wind... she started completely wigging out... i don't know how else to describe it... she was shaking, saying she was scared, flailing her arms, saying she was afraid the swings were going to crash together and break the swing set... she was totally out of control and there was nothing that i could do to calm her... she went and hid in her closet... finally she calmed down... i tried to talk to her about it but she would just tense up. i try to stay calm and not invalidate her feelings because as illogical they seem to me i know they are very real to her...

i chalked it up to a weird situation and maybe at this age getting a bad dream confused with reality... or maybe her imagination running away with her...

since then it has happened more... and at times when there are no swings around... seems to happen most before we have to do something new... such as her first day of soccer...

any thoughts? techniques? ideas on how to help her??? do you think this is infact a panic attack?? (dad had anxiety/ panic attacks and has been in therapy)

thank you!

[jdtm]

Panic attack? Probably.  Anxiety is an inherited trait so since the father (don't know if the father refers to your father or your husband) suffers from anxiety, it is highly possible so does your daughter.  Fears and anxieties are illogical so I doubt there would be any reason trying to figure out the "why".  Anxiety is highly treatable in children and the earlier the treatment, the better the outcome.  I really think it is time to see your child's pediatrician before the irrational "fears" become too entrenched.  You might wish to google the term "childhood anxiety" or something similar for additional information on the internet; however, that will not take the place of proper treatment (usually consisting of intervention, and/or therapy, and/or medication).   If your family doctor is not familiar with the treating of anxiety in young children, be sure to ask for a person with experience in this area.  I wish you the best ...